In what could only be described as a huge boost to the people of Vanua Levu, Cabinet yesterday approved the institutional mechanism for a tourism development program for the Northern Division.
In a post-Cabinet media conference, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the proposed project would not only be tourism-focused, it would also mean better infrastructure for Vanua Levu.
“The program aims to build sustainable economic growth in Vanua Levu through destination development, investment in resilient infrastructure and essential services, an improved tourism-enabling environment, and institutional co-ordination,” he said.
“The World Bank, at the request of the Government of Fiji, is providing financing through its International Development Association, IDA, facility to support integrated resilient and sustainable tourism development in Vanua Levu.”
When asked how much the touted project would cost, Mr Rabuka said everything would depend on the assessments that would be carried out.
“We have to finish our assessment first and then put in our request or our proposal to the World Bank and it’s not something exorbitant — it’s something we can afford and its part of the development of an area that promises a lot more in revenue for the investment.”
